There is nothing to fear except fear itself
Porcupine Tree are finally starting to get the widespread recognition that they deserve with some major press coverage, BBC Sessions and a second stage slot at this years Download Festival. Coming from a progressive / psychedelic background they have slowly integrated elements of hard rock and metal into their sound, which has seen them develop into one of the UK's biggest selling bands whilst remaining virtually unknown to the wider populous.
'Fear of a Blank Planet' is Porcupine Tree's ninth studio album and as with pretty much all the previous albums it has fans divided. The real difference with FOABP is that it's designed as a single piece of music and although individual tracks are easily picked out it just fits together and flows really well. This certainly gives it the advantage over previous album 'Deadwing', which felt much more like a collection of songs and although there were some fine moments it didn't quite reach the heights of albums like 'In Absentia'.
Opening with the title track it's instantly recognisable as Porcupine Tree and is impressively catchy. The production is lavish but not overdone, the chord progressions in the main simple but extremely effective. As an opening track it does it's job perfectly in drawing you into the whole concept of the album whilst on a musical level it has everything we've come to want and expect from Porcupine Tree. Towards the end the now familiar heavier parts come to the fore but then give way to lighter, more fragile moments and it's this contrast between heavy and light that makes the band so unique and engaging.
'My Ashes' follows a more melancholic route and is reminiscent perhaps of 'Stop Swimming' from their 1999 album 'Stupid Dream'. This leads into the seventeen minute epic that is 'Anaesthetise', which begins as a fairly subtle song but following a guest solo from Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, breaks out into some heavy riffing and some quite glorious chord progressions. The contrasts return with 'Sentimental', which again harks back to the late 90s sound of the band but fits in perfectly. With each member of the band being well respected musicians in their own right it's no surprise that there is plenty going on from each of them and it really does take several listens to pick out each part. What's instantly noticeable is that the keyboard parts of one time Japan member Richard Barbieri are much more to the fore than they were on 'Deadwing'.
The last two tracks, 'Way Out of Here' and 'Sleep Together' are as strong as the title track and feature some stunning musicianship. 'Way Out of Here' features some of the album's heaviest moments but it's the strings on 'Sleep Together' that really finish off the album in style. Arranged by Dave Stewart they are quite breathtaking and just flow over the main tune in luxurious style, ensuring that the final track leaves you feeling quite blown away and instantly wanting to hit the replay button. For me, Fear of a Blank Planet is classic Porcupine Tree and destined to become a firm favourite amongst the back catalogue. As a band they continually progress whilst managing to retain enough of their roots to keep most long term fans happy. Innovative, heavy, subtle and thoroughly impressive.